Floodplains

Floodplain Development Largely Concentrated in Gulf Coast States
Many U.S. cities use ‘routine’ practices like zoning changes and permitting to discourage development in high-risk flood zones.

Severe Flooding Calls Attention to Houston’s Home Buyout Struggles
Recent extreme flooding along the San Jacinto River has prompted a review of the progress of Harris County’s flood-prone home buyout program.

Most Americans Unaware of Flood Risks, Study Finds
The lack of disclosure laws in most states has led to an overvaluation of homes located in floodplains across the country.

Looking Beyond FEMA Flood Maps, Cities Raise the Bar for Buildings in Floodplains
Cities across the country are developing floodplain construction standards that are more stringent than those required by FEMA.

Floodplain Development Grows as Regulations Shrink
More Americans are moving to high-risk flood zones as environmental deregulation wins the day.

Houston-Area Floodplain Regulations to Expand from 100-Year to 500-Year Levels
Harris County, home to Houston and the scene of widespread devastation during Hurricane Harvey and other weather events, will make large-scale changes to development regulations on floodplains for the first time in almost 20 years.
Poor Planning Brings a Flood of Water Problems
A new study by the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) compares that city's flood insurance claims with its floodplains, and finds a 'completely counter-intuitive' relationship between the two.
Physically Modeling and Understanding Floods in the U.S.
Despite efforts to stop them, floods hammered the U.S. in the early 20th century. A now abandoned model of the Mississippi river, its tributaries and surrounding lands was built to better understand how to combat those floods.
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